El teatro didáctico y la motivación. Un estudio cualitativo sobre las percepciones estudiantiles de ELE

Abstract

To study a foreign language within any school system is a complex task, and students’ motivation plays a critical role in the learning process. The present study examines the motivational impact of didactic theatre on students studying Spanish as a Foreign Language (Español como Lengua Extranjera, ELE) in Sweden. Through qualitative interviews, six factors that appear to influence students’ motivation, both extrinsic and intrinsic, were identified. The findings suggest that these factors affect students differently depending on the type of motivation they experience and whether they have long-term goals related to their Spanish learning beyond simply obtaining a grade. Nevertheless, all participants reported positive experiences of the variation in the structure of the subject, which is strongly influenced by the inclusion of didactic theatre exercises.